Hi Sean-waders are great to have but not everyone uses them. I always do even in summer I just dont like getting wet plus they offer some protection from the enviorment bushes and things. Secondly If your just getting started you will notice Putah fishes differently throughout the year and locations that fish poorly in winter fish better in summer and vis versa. Also certain peoples have worked long and hard at getting Putah creek to be a catch and release in 2009 with more recently sometime in 2014 its Wild trout Designation that brings better opportunitys for more conservation programs like  Trout Unlimited is doing in conjuction with Putah Creek Trout . I highly recommend contacting Steve Karr and asking how you can get involved with Putah Creek Trout doing some volunteer work that way you get to meet others that love the creek and learn when and where to fish the creek and when to fish other rivers.

You will find there is a bit of conterversy and drama regarding Fishing Putah Creek during the winter spawn December through end of feburary when the fish are spawning and most vulnerable , Its a sad thing to see a great big wild trout hooked then fought to exhaustion , Females will abort there eggs and later die after being released. Its hard to explain in written form let just say when you start fly fishing you dont know any of this and its up to the local community of ethical fly fishers to teach the new guys what we can so you learn how to fly fish and how not tom harm the creek. You can go online and find a very good video By Jordan Romney its about 45 minutes long but worth the watch on Youtube and i will be happy to meet you and show you some tricks.

Feel free to message or call me I love helping newbies on the creek. 707-294-4738

Richard Loft